Maghull Labour Councillor Lynn Gatherer praises town’s police fo

The Sudell Ward Labour Councillor raised the issue of off-road scrambler bikes wreaking havoc in parts of Maghull with police at the last Area Committee.

Since then Maghull Neighbourhood Police have reported back that they have taken action.

As well as increasing patrols in the areas where and when the problems are reported, officers stopped a group of youths and made an arrest in Moorhey Road.

Cllr Gatherer said she was delighted the police were getting to the source of the problem.

Cllr Gatherer said: "Since I raised this issue at the Area Committee the police in Maghull have acted promptly and decisively which has shown just how seriously they have taken the reports.

"The local police tell me that all officers of the team have been giving the problem areas extra attention, which has included increased patrols by the traffic police.

"This led to a group of youths being stopped in Moorhey Road, when officers spotted one of the young people riding a small off-road motorbike down the middle of the road. The bike apparently matched the description from previous reports and it was seized and the rider was dealt with by police in relation to numerous traffic offences.

"The mother of this young person decided to have the bike crushed and the other youths in the group were warned about the dangers of improper use of motorbikes and the potential consequences.

"Since the bike was seized, police say complaints in the area have 'drastically reduced'."

Cllr Gatherer encouraged members of the community to contact the police with any information about illegal use of motor vehicles.

Cllr Gatherer said: "It is absolutely vital that people report dangerous and illegal use of these motorcycles in our community.

"In recent weeks we have seen a number of fatalities in Merseyside because of off road motorbikes.

"We don't want to see another one here in Maghull, but that is a very real danger because the actions of a small number of people who are recklessly breaking the law.

"The Maghull Labour Action team has received reports about this dangerous behaviour, including someone driving over the footbridge on Bridge Road and Rutherford Road. We are lucky that no one has been hurt so far."

Cllr Gatherer said the police were continuing to make this issue one of their priorities.

Cllr Gatherer said: "As well as increased patrols, the police in Maghull have conducted operations in the area to clamp down on illegal use of motorcycles. In the latest operation, the force's quad bikes were brought in.

"The police here consider this a priority and they assure me that they will continue target this type of illegal, anti social and downright dangerous behaviour in Maghull.

"My Labour colleagues and I thank the local neighbourhood teams for taking action in this way."